S.F. Symphony gala's most stunning gowns

Updated 1:07 pm, Friday, September 19, 2014

Sonya Molodetskaya wears a gown by Vasily Vein at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala which she accessorized with a On Aura Tout Vu clutch, Azzedine Alaia heels and a crown of feathers by Victoria Grand in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. less

Sonya Molodetskaya wears a gown by Vasily Vein at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala which she accessorized with a On Aura Tout Vu clutch, Azzedine Alaia heels and a crown of feathers by Victoria ... more

Sonya Molodetskaya holds her On Aura Tout Vu clutch (with incorporated working flashlight) at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. Her gown is Vasily Vein.

Sonya Molodetskaya holds her On Aura Tout Vu clutch (with incorporated working flashlight) at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. Her gown is Vasily Vein.

Sonya Molodetskaya shows off her Azzedine Alaia heels paired with a Vasily Vein gown at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The bottom portion of her gown was removable to make it easier for her to dance at the after party. less

Sonya Molodetskaya shows off her Azzedine Alaia heels paired with a Vasily Vein gown at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The bottom portion of her gown ... more

Huifen Chan poses for a photograph in a royal blue Monique Lhuillier gown at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The event marked the start of Michael Tilson Thomas' 20th season as the Symphony's Music Director. less

Huifen Chan poses for a photograph in a royal blue Monique Lhuillier gown at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The event marked the start of Michael ... more

Rachael Bowman in an emerald green Lanvin gown and Nicole Curran in Oscar de la Renta pose for a photograph at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014.

Rachael Bowman in an emerald green Lanvin gown and Nicole Curran in Oscar de la Renta pose for a photograph at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014.

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and Nicky Hilton pose for a photograph in a royal blue gown at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The event marked the start of Michael Tilson Thomas' 20th season as the Symphony's Music Director. Photo by Ashleigh Reddy for Moanalani Jeffrey Photography less

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and Nicky Hilton pose for a photograph in a royal blue gown at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The event marked the start of ... more

Allison Speer and Vanessa Getty pose on the red carpet at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. Speer wore a Valentino gown to the event and Getty was dressed in Michael Kors. less

Allison Speer and Vanessa Getty pose on the red carpet at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. Speer wore a Valentino gown to the event and Getty was ... more

Jack Calhoun, Global President of Banana Republic wears a navy Banana Republic tuxedo with a Lanvin flower lapel pin at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. less

Jack Calhoun, Global President of Banana Republic wears a navy Banana Republic tuxedo with a Lanvin flower lapel pin at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, ... more

Jennifer Goldman poses in a caribbean blue gown at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The event marked the start of Michael Tilson Thomas' 20th season as the Symphony's Music Director. less

Jennifer Goldman poses in a caribbean blue gown at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The event marked the start of Michael Tilson Thomas' 20th season as ... more

Norah and Norman Stone at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. Norah wears a yellow gown from a boutique in Delhi, India and a Tom Ford for Gucci jacket from her closet. Norman wears a YSL jacket with sequins and a vintage Versace shirt and Christian Louboutin shoes. less

Norah and Norman Stone at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. Norah wears a yellow gown from a boutique in Delhi, India and a Tom Ford for Gucci jacket ... more

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer makes her way up the stairs at Davies Symphony hall during the intermission of the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala performance in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014.

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer makes her way up the stairs at Davies Symphony hall during the intermission of the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala performance in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014.

Laura Mask shows off her Jill Stuart gown during the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala inside San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The gala's dinners and after parties were held in several locations. less

Laura Mask shows off her Jill Stuart gown during the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala inside San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The gala's dinners and after parties were held in ... more

Elisa Stephens poses for a photograph in a royal blue gown at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The event marked the start of Michael Tilson Thomas' 20th season as the Symphony's Music Director. less

Elisa Stephens poses for a photograph in a royal blue gown at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The event marked the start of Michael Tilson Thomas' ... more

Joe Leveroni and Lauren Scanlon pose for a photo at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. Scanlon is wearing a Ralph Lauren skirt topped by a St. John jacket. less

Joe Leveroni and Lauren Scanlon pose for a photo at the San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala in San Francisco on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. Scanlon is wearing a Ralph Lauren skirt topped by a St. John ... more

To call the San Francisco Symphony's 103rd opening night gala a "Rhapsody in Blue" would be true not only of the musical program, which featured guest pianist Yuja Wang playing Gerhswin's famous piece on the ivories, but of the night's trend in fashion.

In a rare occurrence in a city that loves its black, it was instead blue, blue and more blue that reigned supreme in a nod to the song, and to musical director Michael Tilson Thomas, who was celebrating his 20th anniversary on the job and whose favorite color is - you guessed it - blue.

Symphony president Sako Fisher had a previously unworn midnight-blue Oscar de la Renta gown in her closet, and decided it was just the number for the night, and polished her toenails to match. "I really wanted to wear blue for Michael," she said.

Others mixed it up with florals, one of the biggest statements on the runways this year. Facebook's Libby Leffler, co-chair of the Symphonix dinner, was radiant in a white strapless Carolina Herrera gown with a voluminous skirt covered in blue floral print. She carried a butterfly-shaped Judith Leiber clutch. "I thought it was a garden with a butterfly landing in it," she said of the combination. "After going to the Coachella music festival and seeing flower crowns everywhere, I'm really into flowers."

Menlo Park mom Jessica Hickingbotham wore a vintage red, white and blue floral strapless Scaasi gown that belonged to her husband's grandmother, the late San Francisco philanthropist Diana Knowles, regarded in her day as a spectacular dresser. It was a legacy Hickingbotham wanted to keep alive. "She'd always say to us, 'You need to take my dresses out and have a good time,' " she said.

Gala chairwoman Lisa Goldman, meanwhile, wore a white, long-sleeved sheath with rhinestones nearly as dazzling as her 1970s updo. She'd seen Beyonce's recent concert at AT&T Park, and contacted her costume designer, C.L. Green, who whipped up a gown in three weeks' time, Goldman said. "It's a night to sparkle," she explained.

Moscow native Sonya Molodetskaya, the companion of former Mayor Willie Brown, typically wears brights, and loves drama. On this night she did not disappoint in a theatrical outfit by her favorite designer, Vasily Vein, composed of a mini dress in black lace topped by an enormous white taffeta skirt tied around her waist. Her head was circled by a wreath of ostrich feathers by Victoria Grand and a clutch purse was accented by a full-size flashlight, complete with studs, by the tiny Parisian fashion house On Aura Tout Vu. "Obviously I didn't get the memo - blue," she said with a laugh.

Venture capitalist Deepa Pakianathan also wore white, in the form of a Tom Ford gown layered in white tassels that swung when she walked. It was accented by a green, globe-like Alexander McQueen handbag on a rope, and green Prada pumps. "Old Hollywood glamour," she said.

Rachael Bowman was a head-turner in an emerald green gown with a sculptural collar by Lanvin. "She's like 'Alice in Wonderland,' " Goldman said, smiling.

Non-floral, but graphic, was Nicole Curran's black and white polka dot gown by Oscar de la Renta, her homage to Goldman. "It reminded me of our hostess - glamorous and playful at the same time," Curran said.

Other standouts:

-- Art collectors Norah and Norman Stone, she in a bright yellow lace gown from a boutique in Delhi, India, acquired on a recent SF Museum of Modern Art trip, topped by a yellow Tom Ford for Gucci coat; and he in a sequined Yves Saint Laurent jacket over a vintage, see-through Versace shirt and a pair of studded Christian Louboutin flats

-- And Nicky Hilton, visiting with her parents, Kathy and Rick Hilton, who were guests of society's go-to cosmetic dentist, Alan Malouf. Nicky wore a delicately floral Valentino gown (accented by sparkling gemstone earrings from Los Altos Hills jeweler Rosalina Lydster). The gown was sweet, but that's not what took her outside of her element, she said. "I don't usually wear pink - I leave that to my sister," referring to Paris Hilton. "I like to wear blue."